News:
UK

Thu 2 Sep, 2010
By Sam Bristowe

He has now told me that, as a result of the pressure on his family from the untrue and malicious allegations made about him, he does not wish to continue in his position. It is a pity that a talented individual should feel that he needs to leave his job in this way

The Government will not push through proposals that churches argue would restrict their ability to deny jobs to gay people and transsexuals, Equality Minister Harriet Harman has confirmed.

William Hague speaks frankly about gay rumours

William Hague has released a personal statement to clear up rumours surrounding his sexuality and any suggestions towards sexual relationship with his adviser Christopher Myers who has since resigned from his position and has branded the rumours causing the resignation as “untrue and malicious”.

In an open statement the Foreign Secretary spoke frankly about the speculation about his sexuality and his relationship with former adviser Myers. He also discussed in detail is marriage to his wife Ffion and denied any rumours suggesting they are separating.

Following weeks of photos and personal details buzzing around the web and media about his sexuality Hague responded with a frank statement to clear things up.

"I feel it is necessary to issue this personal statement in response to press and internet speculation over the last ten days.

"Earlier this year a Sunday newspaper began questioning whether my marriage to Ffion was in trouble, and last week another media outlet asked whether there was a statement about our supposed separation. This seemed to be linked to equally untrue speculation surrounding the appointment of Christopher Myers as a Special Adviser.

Rumours about him and Myers began circulating after the pair were photographed together in London and details were released about the pair sharing a twin room at Hotel du Vin in Birmingham in April.

"This speculation seems to stem from the fact that whilst campaigning before the election we occasionally shared twin hotel rooms. Neither of us would have done so if we had thought that it in any way meant or implied something else.

"In hindsight I should have given greater consideration to what might have been made of that, but this is in itself no justification for allegations of this kind, which are untrue and deeply distressing to me, to Ffion and to Christopher

Following the speculation Mr Myers resigned from his position with Mr Hague who in his statement expressed that his decision to leave was nothing to do with any kind of intimate relations, saying: "Christopher Myers has demonstrated commitment and political talent over the last eighteen months. He is easily qualified for the job he holds. Any suggestion that his appointment was due to an improper relationship

"He has now told me that, as a result of the pressure on his family from the untrue and malicious allegations made about him, he does not wish to continue in his position. It is a pity that a talented individual should feel that he needs to leave his job in this way.

Of his marriage to Ffion he expressed highly personal details to help reiterate his point about his sexuality, saying: “Ffion and I feel it necessary to give some background to our marriage because we have had enough of this continued and hurtful speculation about us.

“I have made no secret of the fact that Ffion and I would love to start a family. For many years this has been our goal. Sadly this has proved more difficult for us than for most couples. We have encountered many difficulties and suffered multiple miscarriages, and indeed are still grieving for the loss of a pregnancy this summer.

“The stress of infertility can often strain a marriage, but in our case, thankfully, it has brought us closer together.”